The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com
John M. Mishler is a former dean of graduate studies and research and a professor of natural sciences at the University of Maryland. He lives in Harpswell.
In a just America, who possesses the greater political power: the ultra-wealthy or the language within the U.S. Constitution? The answer should be the U.S. Constitution, namely, “We the People.” However, in our present political/legislative/judicial climate, do “We the People” still maintain legitimate authority, or has our power shifted and is now under the controlling influence of wealthy, unelected individuals? If recent events are a sign of a new roiling dynamic and if the votes, having been cast recently by Republican U.S. House and Senate members, are closely scrutinized, it would appear the latter is correct. How and why has this happened?
The context is simple and straightforward. The ruling issued in the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission case unleashed the current torrent of private money flowing into our elections. Said decision “reversed previous campaign finance restrictions and enabled corporations and other outside groups to spend unlimited funds on elections,” according to the Brennan Center for Justice. Therefore, the authority of We the People to govern has been eroded and that authority is now undertaken mostly on behalf of corporations, outside groups and the ultra-wealthy. By virtue of their unrestricted money, these unelected cohorts and entities can and do exert enormous political and legislative sway by: financing and, thereafter, controlling various media platforms/podcasts; supporting radical primary candidates, rather than incumbents; unleashing media campaigns against sitting legislators; and utilizing dark money.
So, in this new era of American politics, what have We the People become? Answer: Often disinterested, uninformed, and lacking needed resources and direction.
Sadly, many have become the victims of their own unwillingness to fully understand and appreciate: verifiable facts; inconvenient truths; and relevant history, but rather, have conveniently placed their trust with those “in the know,” namely, the unelected ultra-wealthy. That’s because these same individuals can “flood the airwaves” with their biased and often toxic, unsupported opinions, an option not readily available to the majority of We the People.
Political strategist James Carville coined the phrase “It’s the economy, stupid.” Presently, his quip could be: “It’s not the economy, stupid, it’s the money.” Why this deliberate focus on money? Is it the ultimate basis for all evil? Yes and no. Yes, in a society, wealth inequality weakens the power and authority of We the People, often not permitting their potential to be achieved. No, wealth can enrich a society, by allowing a level playing field, thereby strengthening We the People, creating a better and just social fabric.
Therefore, what should be the ultimate bulwark against money equals influence, equals power to alter our democracy? Answer: We the People, joined by resolute legislators and judges. Why? It seems that for the ultra wealthy, “governance by intimidation, executed with whatever means deemed necessary to succeed, regardless of possible harm to people and institutions, now appears to be the preferred modus operandi,” as my wife wrote in a Dec. 27 letter to the editor in the Portland Press Herald. So, once more, the only legitimate defense are duty-bound elected or appointed officials willing to defy the ultra-wealthy and preserve the social justice needs of We the People.
Maybe in the future We the People can determine “how much money is enough” and, by employing creative and equitable legislation, decree that the ruling in Citizens United be vacated and that the ultra-wealthy, banks and corporations contribute more to: construction of affordable housing; lowering interest rates on loans and credit cards; offering higher education at reduced costs; better healthcare for all; programs safeguarding the environment; and insuring equal rights for all.
For now, what? We the People should wholeheartedly pursue this goal: that fairness and justice must prevail over unrelenting greed. In 2024, Maine voters achieved a portion of that coveted goal by passing Question 1 (ballot measure imposing campaign contribution limits). Its passage is a beginning on the long road to restrict the influence of money in our American democracy.
